Independent review into offshore immigration detention contracts after allegations of irregular payments

The Federal Government has launched an independent investigation into the integrity of offshore immigration processing after allegations of irregular payments related to contracts over several years. The investigation, to be led by former defence and foreign affairs secretary Dennis Richardson, will focus on allegations made in recent reports in Nine newspapers that suggest millions of dollars in suspect payments were made including to politicians in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. However, it will also be able to expand its scope to examine the integrity and governance arrangements over the duration of offshore processing, which was revived in 2013 at the end of the previous Labor government’s time in office. Earlier on Monday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton — who was kome affairs minister when some of the contracts in question were awarded — said any investigation that covered only his time in the portfolio would be merely a political exercise. “If there are matters to be referred, if the minister has legitimate concerns around the conduct of any individual, I would be happy to sign to co-sign a letter with the Prime Minister to refer off to the NACC and allow them to conduct their own investigation,” he said. But Mr Dutton said that he would cooperate with any independent investigation. He believed he had been “caught in the crossfire” between Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and her department boss Mike Pezzullo. Ms O’Neil said a number of serious issues relating the the governance of contracts for regional processing had been aired in recent weeks. “They merit detailed and thorough examination,” she said. Mr Richardson’s reviews will consider any integrity concerns around contracting arrangements including some that may not be public, the department’s arrangements including for engaging sub-contractors and any other concerns around the administration of regional processing. Ms O’Neil has not given him a time frame for reporting but said the investigation would be delivered to cabinet.